Patients concerned about future of lymphedema clinic in Montreal
There is confusion and ample amounts of concern about the future of the lymphedema clinic at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal.
Patients and advocates say the clinic is an essential service and needs to be maintained.
Lymphedema is a form of chronic swelling that can occur after cancer treatment.
"In Quebec, 75,000 Quebecers do have lymphedema caused by cancer treatment," said strategic support and communications director Anne-Marie Joncas at the Lymphedema Association of Quebec.
When the lymph nodes are damaged or removed during cancer treatment, fluid can build up in the body, causing pain and sometimes infection.
"For me, it was mostly in the elbow where it was just so swollen that it would ache at night," said lymphedema patient Victoria Hamilton.
Hamilton was diagnosed with lymphedema about a year after finishing breast cancer treatment. She said that without the expert care she received at the MUHC's lymphedema clinic, she doesn't know how she would have managed the chronic illness on her own.
"They're the best in Canada," she said. "Their understanding of lymphedema is incredible."
Patients and advocates are concerned about the future of the clinic, which is currently funded by charities like the Cedars Cancer Foundation.
The MUHC wants the government to pay and the clinic was informed in February that funding from Cedars would end on April 1.
"We are looking at consolidating the resources and expertise of the lymphedema program to provide the most efficient and best quality of care within the possibilities available to us. We will approach the ministry at a later date," the MUHC said in a statement.
"Looking for the minister of health to help to integrate lymphedema treatment as a basic care in the hospital budget is a great idea," said Joncas. "It would be a first, and we would be very happy about that. Now we have to help these patients during the transition period."
The Quebec Health Ministry did not respond to a CTV News request for comment.
Cedars said it will extend its funding for at least another year while the MUHC puts its proposal together.
"At this point, we're we're pleased to continue funding the MUHC Lymphedema Clinic from April 1 on for one year while the hospital, while the MUHC reevaluates and looks at sustainable funding," said Cedars Foundation president and CEO Jeff Shamie.
There is currently a six-month waiting list to get into the clinic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977485.1721935249!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
LIVE UPDATES Rain reduces wildfire activity, aids firefighters: Jasper park officials
Jasper National Park officials said Thursday night that rain over the day resulted in "minimal fire behaviour and spread."
Canadian Olympic Committee removes women's soccer team's head coach over drone scandal
The Canadian Olympic Committee has removed women's national soccer team head coach Bev Priestman over a drone scandal, according to a press release from the organization.
Yukon woman narrowly escapes bear attack, credits hair clip
A woman in Yukon believes her hair clip helped save her during a bear attack.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
'I was just shocked': Jasper lodge owner on seeing property destroyed by wildfire
On Wednesday night, the owner of Maligne Lodge in Jasper, Alta., was shocked to receive a photo of her business engulfed in flames.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
U.S. authorities have arrested 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel
Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a son of another infamous cartel leader, were arrested by U.S. authorities in Texas on Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department said.
Harris pushes Netanyahu to ease suffering in Gaza: 'I will not be silent'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than President Joe Biden.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.